Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-03-09
CLERICAL BIG0TRY."
Sharp Comments on the Action of the Chi
Cago Ministers.

Sharp Comments on the Action of the Chi
Cago Ministers.
CHICAGO, March S.-Commenting on
the failure OF the Congregational ministers
to adopt unanimously the resolution to
send Il telegram of coincidence to Mrs.
Beccher, the Times says: ALAS for the
rarity of Christian charity" At the week
ly meeting of the Congregational ministers
os Chicago, yesterday, resolution of con-
dOleuce with Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher
was offered. Strange TO say the resolution
produced heated and bitter discussion" >"
and developed 80 much opposition that it
was finally withdrawn by the mover. The
proposed tender of sympathy was objected
10 ON two grOunds-that il might he con-
strued IA an endorsement of Mr.. BeeCher :
theological views, and that the dying
divine had never fully cleared himself of
the charges OF immortality brought by
Theodore TiltOn. The doctrinal objections
however, seem TO carry the most weight,
and it waseyident that, while the brethren
were ready to forgive Mr.. BeecheT for any
lapses from virtue of which he may have
been guilty, they could not find in their
h)artS tO,OverlOOk his lapSeS from orthodoxy.
The action of these Congregational cler-
gymen displays a spirit of narrOwneSS and
intolerance which it was hoped had van
ished forever from the Protestant pulpit OF
America Those who can conceive of
Henry Ward BeeCher Withholding his
sympathy, under like circumstances, from
the wife OF dying acknowledgement, may
he able to discover some justification OF
this pitiful exhibition OF clerical bigOtry;
but none others can. 1t had been sup
passed that even Christians ceased hating
each other at the grave; hut 1t would APP
pear from yesterdays proceedings ot the
Congregational preachers of Chicago that
such is not always the case. -
The Iafcr-Oceda says: THE discussion
over the resolution Ot sympathy to Mrs.
Beecher ut the meeting Of the COngrega-
tiOnal ministers yesterday was worse than
unfortunate-it WAS in many OF its phases
simply disgraceful. Those who opposed
the resolution, which simply rendered the
sympathy of the Congregational ministers
of Chicago TO woman hanging over the
deathbed Of her husband, aud that hus-
band the greatest preacher OF the COngre-
gatiOnal church, based their opposition on
the theory that some people might cOnstrue
this expression OF sympathy into IN in
dorsement Cf Mr.. Beecher's theological
views. What comment on the action OF
the COngregationalists was the action OF
the Methodist ministers, who at about the
same time adopted by unanimous vote,
and without discussion, a resolution ten
dering their sympathy tO Mrs. Beecher.
Those who opposed the resolution took
a great risk. Granted that their motives
were good, still they made n mistake,
which, in the light OF the possible effects,
was almost crime. The blood of millions
will boil over this insult to the memory ot
a man who has been tremendous force IN
our civilization, who has done sO'much
not only Tor his own church, bu for
Christianity-and among all those inter
ested in extending the influence Of the
church there will ne a keen regret over the
unfortunate incident at the meeting ofthe
Congregational ministers yesterday.
'As the case stands, the man whose ser
mons and whose work have done more for
CongregationahSm than any other has re-
ceived blow that will hurt those who are
near to him for all time"